Camille “Katahtu’ntha” Billie, a Black Indigenous artist, is the current artist-in-residence at the Center for Native Futures, Oct. 11, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Tribune Amplifies SAIC Artists’ Push for Inclusivity
The Chicago Tribune spotlighted several members of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) community, detailing the efforts of alumni and faculty to support and empower artists of color in Chicago. Alum Camille "Katahtu'ntha" Billie (BFA 2022) found both inspiration and support in Chicago’s Native American community after moving to the city for SAIC. Now the artist-in-residence at the Center for Native Futures, Billie, a Black Indigenous artist from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, credits the Chicago’s Native American community with helping her find her footing, from shared meals to rides across town. She advocates for funding models that let artists cover essentials like rent, freeing them to focus on their craft.
Shaurya Kumar poses next to his sculpture “What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago” on display at the South Asia Institute in Chicago, Oct. 24, 2024. (Vincent Alban/for the Chicago Tribune)
Professor Shaurya Kumar calls for mentorship to bridge the gap for immigrant and international artists struggling to navigate Chicago’s art world beyond school, fostering a more inclusive scene.
CULTURED features SAIC alum Isabelle McGuire’s rise in the art world through tech-infused creations.
